First scratch

Rick572 · Feb 3, 2001

I have been very careful with the new B21, but I regret to report that this morning I finally put the first scratch on it. A contractor is clearing the property next to mine and has pushed up the timber in a burn pile and I was over there digging through the pile and cutting some fire wood, and while pushing some of the brush a limb sprung out and put a scratch on the fender. Knew it was going to happen sooner or later but I was hoping to get some pictures of it before skinning it up. Oh well, its not a large scratch, but looks like its touch up paint time with 22 hours... But what a beautiful day to be operating a tractor.

Rick

Thomas · Feb 3, 2001

Ahhhh yes the first scratch..does indeed sour the moment and mood,for my was on the FEL arm from my mailbox. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
I'll take a scratch compare to a ding or a dent anyday...so far knock on wood hasn't happen.

Thomas..NH /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Bird · Feb 3, 2001

Rick, your profile doesn't say where in Texas, but you're right; it was a beautiful day to be operating a tractor. I need to repair my yard where the water company fixed a leak, and I found today that I can scrape dry dirt off the surface where I get my fill dirt (back of my property), but where the damage was done that needs fixing is the only 200 square feet on the property that gets NO sun, so it's still muddy clay that I can't work with./w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif Sorry about the scratch, but I've gotten enough now that I don't worry about them too much.

Bird

putty340 · Feb 3, 2001

hello rick, Its bad luck to drive an off road machine without a scratch./w3tcompact/icons/cool.gif A simple solution to you or anyone elses first scratch woes- get your tractor brand new and put a scratch in it/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif ~~~ gaa head ~~first day~~dont think~~anywhere you want! It is part of the folklore of motocross not to run a freshly painted helmet without a scratch- so, you scratch it! There is a formal ceremony, the first thing I did was scratch mine . I called a few of my; old -broken-fat -story tellin buddies(which I fit nicely into) to come over and anoint my new tractor, bless it, and welcome the beloved machine into a rich and fulfilling off road life~~on the outside,- on the inside I know it is just a reason to get together and be the beer drinking cavemen that we are!/w3tcompact/icons/tongue.gif but hey, you dont have to worry about scratching it after that.//////WARNING////// if you do not heed this advice you are on your own. I once was foolish ,and did not listen to such tomfoolery- I had to wear the same UNWASHED underwear everytime I went riding for a whole year to reverse the affects./w3tcompact/icons/mad.gif YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

bpence · Feb 5, 2001

Yep, first scratch or dent is the toughest!! When I got my B7100, although previously owned, it really didn't have any real dents or scratches. I took a ball peen hammer and banged the 3-pt lift arms a couple of times to take the edge off worrying about the first scratches. Although a bit had to do, it made ownership a lot easier.

Bob Pence

Charliebrn · Feb 5, 2001

Well, I tried...I REALLY tried to bring myself to scratch the thing somewhere, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. My BX2200 has 10 hours on it, and I find myself not doing some things with it because I just know I'll scratch it. *sigh* Maybe tonight I'll sock down a good, hard drink and just do it...

Will · Feb 5, 2001

Scratch it?! Why not just wax it instead. And why skimp - go ahead and wax both both sides of every metal surface you can find. Of course you don't want to let any farmers catch you at it. If you are still determined to scratch it, but can't bring yourself to do it, just lend it to the first person who asks, and it'll come back looking nice and broken in.

ScottF · Feb 5, 2001

Will,
I'll have to go with your idea of waxing it first - and yes once everyone found out I waxed my tractor I never heard the end of it! I figure the scratches will come without any help from me (first one came in less than 10 hours).

Scott

Rick572 · Feb 5, 2001

I cleaned the tractor and did spread a little wax on it and it looks so good that if you don't know where to look you wouldn't find it. I don't worry about waxing the tractor because my best neighbor also has a new Kobota and I believe he waxes his too. The work that I normally do with the tractor is in the open with little to no chance of getting scratched, and its my first new tractor. One tip I might pass along though, If you use a metal polish on the metal hydraulic lines on the FEL it looks very good with little effort. Kinda like chrome. The bad part is, if you operate at night and turn on the work lights it shines very bright back toward the operator and hanpers good vision. I agree with what some of you said about placing the first scratch on purpose, and maybe on my next new one I"ll be able to do it, but not with this one.
Thanks.

Rick